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Welcome to another session of Bracket Briefing, our attempt to provide you with essential information on the Big Dance — highlighting the Florida Gulf Coasts of basketball world, and forecasting the Ali

Welcome to another session of Bracket Briefing, our attempt to provide you with essential information on the Big Dance — highlighting the Florida Gulf Coasts of basketball world, and forecasting the Ali Farokhmanesh moments before they happen.

The first word: For every hero, there's a menacing villain. One of the most talked about Cinderella teams in years takes the court tonight after five days of shining in the spotlight. By now, you've all heard FGCU's tale to stardom by playing David to Georgetown's Goliath and knocking off San Diego State to become the first No. 15 seed in NCAA tournament history to reach the Sweet 16. They've transformed into rock stars with music videos and funny dancing to back their superstar status. Yes, there are 11 teams left to talk about besides FGCU. The important question isn't if the Gators can end a dream season ... it's what the aftermath would be. Billy Donovan has played the Grinch before, as his Gators stopped George Mason's storybook season in 2006. Florida's defense is one part of the equation, as the team's big men — namely Patric Young and Erik Murphy — present much more of a force field to "Dunk City" than Georgetown and San Diego State's inexperienced interior players.

Quote to note: "We are tired of hearing about them. We're ready to play." — Florida's Kenny Boynton on FGCU.

Florida's Will Yeguete reacts during a game during the NCAA tournament.(Photo: Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)

Must-watch games tonight: Friday night's game slate (All times Eastern).

— No. 1 Louisville vs. No. 12 Oregon, 7:15 p.m., CBS: Oregon's hot. Louisville's hotter. The Cardinals head into this Regional semifinal having won 12 games in a row and 15 of 16, with the lone loss a quintuple-overtime classic at Notre Dame. With two No. 1 seeds already out of the picture, Louisville is thinking big. Read this story and this story to gear up for the game.

— No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 4 Michigan, 7:37 p.m., TBS: Kansas finally found some rhythm during the second half of its win over North Carolina in the round of 32. Michigan looked like a team that can win the title during its convincing win over Virginia Commonwealth. The Jayhawks' biggest concern is the play of guard Ben McLemore, who has hit on only 4-of-21 attempts since the Big 12 championship game. Read this story to gear up for the game.

— No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 2 Duke, 9:45 p.m., CBS: Tom Izzo's son picked Duke to win the title. Awkward, right? Between two storied programs and two of the best coaches of this generation, Michigan State and Duke provide one of the best matchups of the entire tournament. Read this story to gear up for the game.

— No. 3 Florida vs. No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast, 9:57 p.m., TBS: America's favorite underdog (that would be FGCU) takes on the big, bad Gators for a chance to reach the Elite Eight. Yes, Florida's defense is one of the nation's best. So was Georgetown's, and FGCU ran circles around the Hoyas. Read this story to gear up for the game.

On deck: Saturday's Elite Eight game slate. All times Eastern.

— No. 4 Syracuse vs. No. 3 Marquette, 4:30 p.m, CBS: It'll be a Big East clash between two foes with Final Four implications.

— No. 9 Wichita State vs. No. 2 Ohio State, 7:05 p.m., CBS: Two defensive juggernauts. One team's from an underrated mid-major conference. One team's from unarguably the toughest league in the country.

Another No. 1 bites the dust: The Hoosiers failed to reach the Elite Eight for a second consecutive season after entering the season as the favorite to win the title and earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The 61-50 final margin wasn't indicative of the degree to which Indiana struggled en route to season worsts in scoring and field goal percentage. It also tied season worsts for turnovers, opponents' steals and blocked shots. Read the game story here.

Star of last night night: Before Ohio State's Thursday night clash with Arizona, LaQuinton Ross was a role player on the Buckeyes roster. Afterward, he was the hero. Or Kobe Bryant, according to his locker. The Buckeyes dressed in the Los Angeles Lakers' locker room Thursday night, and somehow it was sophomore sub Ross who drew the Black Mamba's locker.

Ross channeled his inner-Kobe Bean Bryant by drilling a clutch three-pointer with two seconds left to seal a 73-70 victory for OSU after Arizona's Mark Lyons had knotted the game at 70-all on the previous possession. Read the game story here.

Syracuse Orange guard Brandon Triche, left, and forward James Southerland reach to help Michael Carter-Williams late in a semifinals loss to Michigan at the Georgia Dome.
Daniel Shirey, USA TODAY Sports

Duke Blue Devils forward Ryan Kelly wipes his face and reacts on the court in the second half during the finals of the Midwest regional against the Louisville Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

Florida Gulf Coast Eagles forward Filip Cvjeticanin (15) and guard Brett Comer (0) help teammate guard Sherwood Brown (25) up from the court at the end of the semifinals game against the Florida Gators in the South regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at Cowboys Stadium. Florida defeated Florida Gulf Coast 62-50.
Kevin Jairaj, USA TODAY Sports

Michigan State Spartans players Derrick Nix and Adreian Payne react in the second half during the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament against the Duke Blue Devils at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Hoosiers forward Jeremy Hollowell (left) and guard Remy Abell (23) react on the bench in the second half against the Syracuse Orange during the semifinals of the East regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament at the Verizon Center. Syracuse defeated Indiana 61-50.
Geoff Burke, USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Hurricanes bench react during the second half of the semifinals of the East regional of the 2013 NCAA Tournament against the Marquette Golden Eagles at the Verizon Center.
Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Wildcats forward Grant Jerrett (33, left) reacts after the semifinals of the West regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Staples Center. Ohio State defeated Arizona 73-70.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Paul of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after their 63 to 59 loss to the Miami Hurricanes during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at The Frank Erwin Center on March 24, 2013 in Austin, Texas.
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images

San Diego State Aztecs guard James Rahon walks off the court after the game against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in the third round. Florida Gulf Coast defeated San Diego State 81-71.
Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports

Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Mike Hart looks up at the clock late in the second half of the game against the Wichita State Shockers during the third round at EnergySolutions Arena. Witchita State won the game 76-70.
Steve Dykes, USA TODAY Sports

Members of the Harvard Crimson watch from the bench as time winds down in the second half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at EnergySolutions Arena. Arizona won the game 74-51.
Steve Dykes, USA TODAY Sports

Colorado State Rams head coach Larry Eustachy reacts in the game against the Louisville Cardinals in the first half during the third round of the NCAA basketball tournament at Rupp Arena.
Mark Zerof, USA TODAY Sports

James Madison Dukes guard Andre Nation (15) covers his face with his jersey after fouling out against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at University of Dayton Arena. Indiana defeated the Dukes, 83-62.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

Second round: The Cincinnati Bearcats bench reacts late in the game against the Creighton Bluejays during their second-round game at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Elsa, Getty Images

Sabatino Chen (center) and Jeremy Adams (right) of the Colorado Buffaloes sit on the bench in the final minutes of their second-round game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at The Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. Illinois defeated Colorado 57-49.
Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

Second round: Pacific players react on the bench during the second half of a second-round game of the NCAA tournament against the Miami Friday, in Austin, Texas. Miami beat Pacific 78-49.
David J. Phillip, AP

Second round: Jordan Henriquez (21) of the Kansas State Wildcats reacts to his team's 63-61 loss to the La Salle Explorers in the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jamie Squire, Getty Images

Second round: New Mexico players look on in shock and disappointment as the final seconds tick off the clock in their 68-62 loss to Harvard in Salt Lake City. The Crimson got their first-ever NCAA tournament win.
George Frey, AP

Second round: Oklahoma State forward Michael Cobbins hangs his head on the bench during the closing moments of the Cowboys' second-round loss to Oregon. The Ducks prevailed 68-55 in San Jose.
Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports

Second round: Matthew Dellavedova (4) of the St. Mary's Gaels reacts after he missed the last shot attempt of the game as the Gaels fell, 54-52 against the Memphis Tigers in the second round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at The Palace at Auburn Hills.
Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

Second round: James Robinson of the Pittsburgh Panthers reacts after losing to the Wichita State Shockers 73-55 during the second round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at EnergySolutions Arena.
Harry How, Getty Images

Second round: Daniel Mullings (left) and Bandja Sy (right) of the New Mexico State Aggies look on from the bench during their 64-44 loss to the Saint Louis Billikens in the the second round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at HP Pavilion.
Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images

Second round: Dante Taylor of the Pittsburgh Panthers sits on the bench after the Wichita State Shockers defeated the Panthers, 73-55 in the second round of the NCAA tournament at EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Harry How, Getty Images

Second round: Bucknell guard Steven Kaspar sits on the bench in the final seconds of their 68-56 loss to Butler in the second round NCAA college basketball tournament game Thursday, March 21 in Lexington, Ky. Butler won 68-56.
John Bazemore, AP

First round: Boise State Broncos guard Derrick Marks, left, reacts to fouling out with under a minute to go in the game and losing to the La Salle Expolorers during the first round at University of Dayton Arena.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

First round: Jamal Olasewere of the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds reacts during the second half of their 55 to 68 loss to the James Madison Dukes during the first round of the 2013 NCAA tournament on March 20 in Dayton, Ohio.
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images

First round: Liberty guard John Caleb Sanders has his potential game-winning shot blocked at the buzzer and reacts to losing to North Carolina A&T Aggies 73-72 on March 19.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

First round: Liberty's John Caleb Sanders hides in his jersey after he missed the last shot attempt of the game in his team's 73-72 loss to North Carolina A&T on March 19 in Dayton, Ohio.
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images